A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nairobi vs. Cabo San Lucas for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Nairobi or Cabo San Lucas?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Nairobi and Cabo San Lucas can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Nairobi or Cabo San Lucas?

Nairobi

Nairobi is Kenya's capital as well as the country's largest city. With a population of about 3 million, it is also one of the largest cities in Africa. It is a prominent city both politically and financially within the region. There are many international companies that are located in Nairobi and the Nairobi Securities and Exchange is one of the largest in Africa.

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas ("Cabo") is on the far southern end of the Baja Peninsula. It has countless resorts and activities for visitors. There are world class golf courses, fine dining options, and five star resorts. Prior to the 1980s, Cabo was a quiet fishing village but with the construction of a nearby airport in 1977, the city rapidly grew into one of Mexico's most popular resort vacation spots. Today, Cabo has one of the country's most vibrant nightlife scenes. It also has plenty of water sport activities, and a great beach scene.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Safaris in Kenya, The Best Budget Safaris in Kenya, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Mexico, and The Best Historical Tours in Mexico.


Which place is cheaper, Cabo San Lucas or Nairobi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Nairobi Prices
    Kenya Prices
    Cabo San Lucas Prices
    Mexico Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Nairobi $68
    Cabo San Lucas $169

The average daily cost (per person) in Nairobi is $68, while the average daily cost in Cabo San Lucas is $169. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Nairobi and Cabo San Lucas in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Nairobi $12
    Cabo San Lucas $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Nairobi $24
    Cabo San Lucas $122
Compare Hotels in Nairobi and Cabo San Lucas

Looking for a hotel in Nairobi or Cabo San Lucas? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Nairobi


Hotels in Cabo San Lucas


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Nairobi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Nairobi $11
    Cabo San Lucas $27
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Nairobi

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Nairobi:


  • Taxi from Airport
    $9.28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Nairobi

Also for Nairobi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Airport Transfer (one Way): $80
  • Airport Transfers: $40
  • Airport Transfers In Nairobi: $50
  • Airport Transfers in Nairobi City: $70
  • Airport transfer; NBO to nairobi hotels: $27
  • Airport transfers: $180
  • Airport transfers in Nairobi: $60
  • From JKIA Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax Max: $35
  • From Wilson Airport Nairobi Private Transfer in a Car 3 Pax: $30
  • Hotel, Airport Transfers in Nairobi: $45
  • Jomo Kenyatta International Airport Private Transfer: $27
  • Mwashi Airport Transfer & Taxi: $27

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cabo San Lucas:

  • Transfer to Cabo San Lucas from Round Trip Airport: $286
  • Shared Arrival Transfer: Los Cabos International Airport to Hotel: $27
  • San Jose del Cabo to Los Cabos Airport (SJD) Departure Transfer: $70
  • San Jose Del Cabo hotels to Cabo San Lucas Port - Departure Private Transfer: $141
  • Roundtrip Luxury Private Airport and City Transfers: $170
  • RoundTrip Transfers from LosCabos airport: $259
  • Round Trip Private SUV Transfer SJD Airport to Cabo San Lucas: $235
  • Private transfer SJD Airport to San Jose del Cabo Hotels One Way: $100
  • Private or Luxury One Way Transfer Airport Los Cabos SJD CSL: $185
  • Private Transfer to San Jose del Cabo International Airport: $95
  • Private Transfer to Cabo San Lucas from Cabo Airport: $220
  • Private Transfer from the Airport to Hotels in Los Cabos 1-10px: $255

Is it cheaper to fly into Nairobi or Cabo San Lucas?

Prices for flights to both Cabo San Lucas and Nairobi change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Nairobi $13
    Cabo San Lucas $84
Typical Food Prices in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner for Two
    $5.02

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Kenyan Cooking Class & Authentic Dining Experience with a Local: $40
  • Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class & Local Market Tour: $55
  • Popular Kenyan Food Cooking Class and Local Market Experience: $60
  • Private Interactive Cooking Class and Market Tour in Kinoo: $65
  • Carnivore restaurant Dinner or lunch from Nairobi: $65
  • Dinner Experience with Cat Show at Safari Park Hotel: $90
  • Safari Park dinner with live band music and cat dance show.: $90
  • Safari Park Dinner with Safari Cats Dance Show: $97
  • The Carnivore Restaurant Lunch or Dinner with transport: $97
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Kenyan Cooking Class in Nairobi with a Local: $98
  • Nairobi National Park Afternoon Game Drive/ Dinner Carnivore Restaurant: $100
  • Barbecue Lunch/ Dinner At The Carnivore Restaurant - Nairobi: $100

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cabo San Lucas

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cabo San Lucas.

  • Taste Tacos & Street Food Like a Local: Cabo San Lucas Food Tour: $64
  • Mexican Cooking Class and Garden Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $75
  • Seafood Galore, Los Cabos Food Tour: $80
  • Small-Group Food Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $82
  • Flavors of Authentic Mexican Food Tour: $84
  • Sunset Fajita Dinner Cruise in Cabo San Lucas: $89
  • San Jose del Cabo Tacos and Food Tour: $89
  • Private Mexican Cooking Class in Your Cabo San Lucas Villa or Condo: $90
  • San José del Cabo for Meat Lovers Food Tour: $90
  • Catch of the day dinner in your private villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose del Cabo: $90
  • Sunset Mexican Dinner Cruise and Live Music in Cabo San Lucas: $95
  • Parrillada dinner with a Private Chef in your villa/condo in Cabo or San Jose: $95

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Nairobi $46
    Cabo San Lucas $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Nairobi

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Nairobi's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Village Visit
    $15

Tours and Activities in Nairobi

For Nairobi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Nairobi City Tour: $10
  • Fashion African Fabric & Souvenir Market Tour: $12
  • Kibera Slum Cultural and Community Walking Tour: $15
  • Ankara Fabric Shopping and Same Day Tailoring Experience: $17
  • Nairobi Matatu Culture Experience: $18
  • Nairobi City Tour +Pickup: $19
  • Kibera Community Tour with Local Guide MC Dawn: $20
  • Nairobi Walking City Tour +pick-up: $20
  • Nairobi City Walk Tour +pickup: $22
  • Nairobi National Museum and Snake Park Guided Tour: $22
  • Kibera Chocolate City Tour: $22
  • Kibera Slum Compassionate Walking Experience 3 Hours: $23

Tours and Activities in Cabo San Lucas

Here are a few actual costs in Cabo San Lucas for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • "Exclusive Cabo San Lucas Trimaran Experience with Snorkeling": $180
  • 2 Hours Horseback Riding Adventure in Cabo: $130
  • 2-Hour Camel Ride Beach and Desert Adventure Experience: $120
  • 2-Hours Sunset Experience at Los Cabos with Jazz and Bar! from Los Cabos: $165
  • 2x1 Tour: Cabo San Lucas Arch + Camels Ride + Pick up!: $55
  • 4-Hour Snorkeling Tour in Cabo San Lucas and Corridor: $109
  • 4x4 Automatic ATV and Camel Ride Combo Tour in Cabo San Lucas: $175
  • A Full-Day Baja Adventure: La Paz, Balandra Beach & Todos Santos: $130
  • A taste of Los Cabos. A San Jose and Cabo San Lucas City Tour: $100
  • ATV & Camel Ride Tour on Migriño Beach: $125
  • ATV Adventure: $135
  • ATV Adventure and Tacos at Migriño Beach: $99

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Nairobi $16
    Cabo San Lucas $27

Sample the Local Flavors in Cabo San Lucas

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Cabo San Lucas:

  • Cabo Bar Crawl to the Best Bars and Clubs in Cabo: $60


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nairobi and Cabo San Lucas, we can see that Cabo San Lucas is more expensive. And not only is Nairobi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Nairobi is in Africa and Cabo San Lucas is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Nairobi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nairobi and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cabo San Lucas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cabo San Lucas than you might in Nairobi.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Nairobi Expensive? and Is Cabo San Lucas Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Nairobi or Cabo San Lucas?

Nairobi has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Cabo San Lucas. When comparing the sizes of Nairobi and Cabo San Lucas, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.